VolkswagenQuantum1986Overview/volkswagen/quantum/1986/base/

1986 Volkswagen Quantum

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1986 Quantum.

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1986 Volkswagen Quantum presents a specific mechanical profile for researchers, defined by its 3-speed automatic transmission and an EPA fuel economy of 16 city, 20 highway, and 18 combined mpg. Proper operation of this vehicle relies on particular lubrication parameters, specifically a 3.2-quart engine oil capacity utilizing 2W-40, 20W-50, or 15W-40 API SL viscosity oils. These broad fluid parameters and efficiency figures contextualize the 1986 model's place within the Quantum's reliability history, indicating a vehicle whose mechanical longevity depends heavily on strict adherence to its foundational service specifications.

Model year1988198719861985198419831982

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type2W-40 / 20W-50 / 15W-40 API SLOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/20/18 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 20 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Quantum of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.60 sec — 1986 Syncro Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1986Syncro Wagon 2.2L I-59.60 sec17.00 sec110 hpAWD
1983GL5 Sedan 2.1L I-512.00 sec18.40 sec100 hpFWD
1983GL5 Sedan 2.1L I-512.60 sec18.80 sec100 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.2 qt of 2W-40 / 20W-50 / 15W-40 API SL engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilAPI · 2W-40 · 20W-50 · 15W-40 · 15W-50
Engine Oil Capacity3.2 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miClutch Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miEngine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Oxygen Sensor (replace)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

87V069000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 18/05/1987

EXCESSIVE WEAR OF IDLE STABILIZER COULD CAUSE IDLE FLUCTUATIONS. Remedy: REPLACE IDLE STABILIZER.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Quantum. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1986 Quantum take?

3.2 qt of 68 degrees F TO 104 degrees F 40 API SL OR GREATER, 32 degrees F TO 86 degrees F: 30 API SL OR GREATER, 14 degrees F TO 86 degrees F: 2W-40 OR 20W-50 API SL OR GREATER, 5 degrees F TO 86 degrees F 15W-40 OR 15W-50 API SL OR GREATER, -4 degrees F T, per the factory manual.

Does the 1986 Quantum have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Quantum get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined mpg.